Chess Kenya president Bernard Wanjala said they are delighted by the huge turn out and promised that next year, the association will increase the prize money to attract more players.

“We are very impressed with the turn out especially in the ladies’ section where more than 40 are taking part. This is actually the highest number we have had in quite a long time and we promised to make it even bigger next year,” he said.

Apart from the lucrative cash prize on offer for the winner, the tournament, which ends on Sunday, is also being used as part of the qualifiers for the All-Africa games to be held in Morocco next year.

This event is the first leg of the qualifiers. The second leg will be held in February.